The University of Memphis is committed to providing campus-wide information technology in support of research and instruction for students and faculty. The Division of Information Technology (IT) provides the infrastructure and support necessary for academic activities, networking, telecommunications, and administrative computing. The division provides education and training for widely used software and applications, maintains the campus information technology infrastructure, provides the leadership to involve students, faculty, and staff in technology decision-making, and leads the strategic planning process for the use of information technologies.

The IT HelpDesk (678-8888) is the first area of contact for students, staff, and faculty to establish accounts and report problems. The HelpDesk staff is the primary contact on questions related to software, telecommunications, network, and lab support. In addition they route and track questions to the most appropriate university personnel for resolution. Since the University operates on a Local Support Provider (LSP) model (i.e., schools and colleges as well as administrative units have departmental computer experts to assist them with technology), calls to the HelpDesk are frequently assigned to an LSP for resolution. However, the knowledge management system of the HelpDesk tracks the problem and its resolution for future reference. The HelpDesk also makes available desktop and server software for faculty computers and departmental servers.

Students can access two IT-supported 24-hour computer labs (one of which is a Super Lab and Smart Classroom) and over 65 other departmental labs located in various buildings and residence halls throughout the University. Over 30 smart classrooms with a full range of multimedia equipment are available for use by all faculty members and each classroom building is equipped with EduCarts (SmartCarts) that can turn almost any classroom into a “smart room.” Many departmental labs have extended evening and weekend hours and students have access to the Internet, e-mail, Microsoft software, and a host of academic-related applications in a variety of computing environments. All labs are equipped with printers and other peripheral devices.

Information Technology provides a variety of technology support services to faculty, staff, and students including software training, software distribution, and web consulting. The Advanced Learning Center (ALC) provides consulting assistance for on-line and web-assisted course development. Students and faculty can attend free training seminars at the Training Center in Smith 412. The center is equipped with PCs, Macs, and smart presentation equipment. Faculty may reserve this facility as well as any of the smart classrooms for their instructional needs. Training courses and workshops are offered on all supported software. The Faculty Resource area in the Advanced Learning Center contains the latest multimedia and computer equipment for faculty and instructors to learn technologies or create course material. Online CBT (Computer-Based Training) is available free to all students, faculty, and staff either over the web or through downloadable tutorials. There are currently over 200 courses available to choose from.

Information Technology supports and maintains the University's fiber network that connects all offices, computer labs, classrooms and auditoriums, and selected residence halls. IT is committed to advancing the use of technology to assist the University in education and research. As part of this effort, The University of Memphis is a full partner and an Early Adopter of Internet-2 technology for research and instruction.

IT provides all telecommunication services (such as FAX and long distance service), cable TV, and calling number ID. Most of these services are also available in the dormitories.

More information on the services provided by Information Technology can be found at: http://is.memphis.edu.